Object numberM1996/010:015
DescriptionHand-written 10 page letter from Renko (Renee Konstant) to Zdenka Loukova in Kasejovice, CSSR. Each page bear an Austrian Censors stamp. Renko apologises for wallowing but until recently things have been terrible in every way. She writes about the cold, the lack of shoes and clothing, she mentions the wooden clogs from Bergen-Belsen, that she only had the blanket from Belsen to cover her. She begs her friend to send a loaf of bread. "Otherwise it is the truth that it gets worse here all the time. I regret writing you about that, but you write you are in the country and perhaps you could send me a loaf of bread sometime, this is continually rationed here." Renko reminds Zdena of her unselfish behaviour: "You are famous for such unselfish actions. All my life I will never forget my dysentery in February, March and April when you always gave me the potatoes out of your soup and only ate the remaining turnips." She writes about waiting daily for the arrival of the postman to bring mail from Zdenka or Hanka (Hana).
Part of a collection of photographs, medical records, identity documents, postcards, letters, 1943 pocket book, hand-made leather book mark, deportation slips and yellow cloth Star of David donated by Hana Novotny (nee Lipa).
Hana Novotny (nee Lipa) was born 29 September 1926 in Jaromer, Czechoslovakia. She died 2011, aged 85, in Sydney, Australia. Her adolescence was marred by the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia in March 1939. She and her family were affected by the antisemitism, daily deprivations and exclusion from mainstream Czech society as experienced by all Jews under the German yoke.
1940 was a turbulent year for 14-year-old Hana. Due to the Nazi’s segregationist decrees, she was prohibited from attending school, her father was arrested, and her mother died from cancer. Hana and her father—Jaroslav Lipa, were deported to the Theresienstadt “camp-ghetto” on 10 August 1942. She was employed in a leather factory making small money purses, wallets and bill holders. She made a book mark for her father, from the luggage the Germans confiscated from ghetto inmates. He never received it, having perished 10 September 1943 in Charles Square Police Prison, Prague, age 44. Hana was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. ‘Selected’ and fit for work she was sent to the Frauenlager (Women’s camp). There she forged life-sustaining relationships with Renee Konstant and Zdenka Loukova. These girls became her Lager Schwestern (camp sisters).
On 4 July 1944 they were transported to various labour camps in Upper Silesia. Hana found work and life to be particularly arduous, suffering hunger, back-breaking labour, continuous air raids, and the cruelty of female SS guards. Finally, they were transported to Bergen-Belsen. Conditions in the camp were horrific. She contracted typhoid fever and was severely ill for months. When she was well enough, she returned home to Jaromer in mid-July 1945 desperate for news about the fate of her family. Her moods varied, “up and down”, she vacillated from “hope to despair.” Her greatest fear— facing life alone, was allayed when she married Oldrich Novotny. She migrated to Sydney Australia in 1948.
Part of a collection of photographs, medical records, identity documents, postcards, letters, 1943 pocket book, hand-made leather book mark, deportation slips and yellow cloth Star of David donated by Hana Novotny (nee Lipa).
Hana Novotny (nee Lipa) was born 29 September 1926 in Jaromer, Czechoslovakia. She died 2011, aged 85, in Sydney, Australia. Her adolescence was marred by the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia in March 1939. She and her family were affected by the antisemitism, daily deprivations and exclusion from mainstream Czech society as experienced by all Jews under the German yoke.
1940 was a turbulent year for 14-year-old Hana. Due to the Nazi’s segregationist decrees, she was prohibited from attending school, her father was arrested, and her mother died from cancer. Hana and her father—Jaroslav Lipa, were deported to the Theresienstadt “camp-ghetto” on 10 August 1942. She was employed in a leather factory making small money purses, wallets and bill holders. She made a book mark for her father, from the luggage the Germans confiscated from ghetto inmates. He never received it, having perished 10 September 1943 in Charles Square Police Prison, Prague, age 44. Hana was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. ‘Selected’ and fit for work she was sent to the Frauenlager (Women’s camp). There she forged life-sustaining relationships with Renee Konstant and Zdenka Loukova. These girls became her Lager Schwestern (camp sisters).
On 4 July 1944 they were transported to various labour camps in Upper Silesia. Hana found work and life to be particularly arduous, suffering hunger, back-breaking labour, continuous air raids, and the cruelty of female SS guards. Finally, they were transported to Bergen-Belsen. Conditions in the camp were horrific. She contracted typhoid fever and was severely ill for months. When she was well enough, she returned home to Jaromer in mid-July 1945 desperate for news about the fate of her family. Her moods varied, “up and down”, she vacillated from “hope to despair.” Her greatest fear— facing life alone, was allayed when she married Oldrich Novotny. She migrated to Sydney Australia in 1948.
Production date 1946-04-06
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Language
- German 6.4.1946
Dear Zdena!
First of all I want to tell you how much I enjoyed your letter of the 25/3/1946. It was the second letter I got from you, the first one you wrote me on the 27/10/45. Zdena that is not just talk but I am really very happy that this letter has reached me because in the long time during which I only had regular mail from Hanka I was only to begin with very sad, then later also disappointed about your long silence although I knew that you had worries and surely did not think of sitting down to write.
When I wrote Hanka about it she always defended you which was of no use because whether you write to her or me, you are the one to carry the letter to the post office, so it makes no difference. I would have been satisfied with only a card! But enough of that as I am happy you found the way to the postbox. And to me!!!
Today I can confess to you that until a short time ago I was in every aspect 'wallowing', until recently things were terrible in every way. Apart from the mental condition, which was the same for all of us the past winter was worse than in the concentration camps. We could use heat a total of 4 times and I had only one pair of leather-ankle-shoes (in the camp I had at least you girls there!). Otherwise I would have until 8 months ago run around in the wooden clogs from Bergen Belsen. Right now I have already 3 pairs of shoes. And that was the same with everything else. You all have always thought it was vanity which made me make such efforts for clothes. I can tell you that up to date not anyone gave me anything. Only in December was I able to make mittens for myself. I did not have a blanket to cut up and if I had not brought along my 2 blankets from Belsen I would have had nothing to even cover me. The same goes for a scarf or food. I am writing you about that not to describe my misery but to show you that everyone had hard times!
Today the worst is over and the next winter will be better. Hanka did not know anything about it because I did not want you to worry. Now I write about it because it is past!! I have just noticed that for the last 3 pages I have just written about myself and not very pleasantly. Zdenka you know that for my innermost relief I know everything is alright with my Zdenka!! Our friendship did not only prove itself in the concentration camps but for a lifetime! The two of you are the only people of whom I now know for sure to be my friends!
Now it has become already 4 pages. I must tell you one further thing. Without the use of too many words you write to me about coming to you. I understand you perfectly because I know Czechoslovakia (CSR) better than you think.
I also have the intention to go to my uncle in the U.S.A. But I have a great longing to see (the two of you) you before I go. But that can only happen (if and) when you and Hanka send me a confirmation from the National authority (NORODNI VYBOR) stating that I deposited my luggage with you and am coming to collect it! It would be unimaginable to think I could stay one wek with you and one week with Hanka. What do you think about that? Let’s say it would happen in summer. Here we already have glorious weather.
For Luise’s behavior I can only say it shows meanness to behave like that towards you, seeing that as far as life-experience is concerned, she is far ahead of all three of us.
I am very happy to hear you are thinking of marriage, if he is the right one. He must be serious but inwardly young! That it important! The most important thing is that you understand each other and like each other. If that is the case I have the best regards for him and hope he makes our Zdenka happy!
If everything goes right it is the right course of action to take. If I would have been with you I could have already long ago joined you up with someone.
A person like you should simply not be alone! This applies to Hanka as well, she should not be so sarcastic because she can make a person who is good to her very happy. In other words: just like you!
With great application and effort you have re-built the business. But be happy about it because it is better to have your own business than to be employed. If I would live in Czechoslovakia I would have right away worked with you and not contemplated to go to the U.S.A. But in Austria there is nothing left for me and I cannot make friends with anybody.
My parents shop has been completely re-built. I always feared it was a former Nazi. That, unfortunately is how it is here. About parcels I am unable to tell you anything. About that you need to enquire at the post office or shipping agent. Otherwise it is the truth that it gets worse here all the time. I regret writing you about that, but you write you are in the country and perhaps you could send me a loaf of bread sometime, this is continually rationed here. This week we only get 95 dekagram of which I have to surrender 35 dekagram of this for a lunch in a restaurant. What remains is 10 dekagram per day. I would also be very happy if you could send me something to munch, or flour. That would be the most important thing.
You can forgo lots of things but one must have at least basic food supply. Although I am smoking, that doesn’t work. I still look excellent but am dreadfully fat. That will disappear again. Zdenka you must promise me, if it is at all possible that you will send me things that you can spare. Otherwise I would not have a minute’s peace. You are famous for such unselfish actions. All my life I will never forget my dysentery in February, March and April when you always gave me the potatoes out of your soup and only ate the remaining turnips.
As I said before I do hope to see you still before my trip into the ‘wild blue yonder’. Excuse my style of writing but it all comes from my heart and one cannot pay attention to formalities. I would be overjoyed with a picture of you. Please write this time by return of mail because I await daily the arrival of the postman to bring mail from you or Hanka. It is the only joy (from all my heart) to get a letter from Czechoslovakia.
Lots of love, all the best, RENKO
Translators note: All pages have a censorship stamp of the Austrian Censorship (“Österreichische Zensurstelle 187”). I can only assume that this letter is sent to the American Zone in CSR. As you know, Austria was under Russian occupation at the time. Charlotte
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Ms. Hana Novotny